[tofof]

Only an economist could ask a question of the form "why would anyone want to do <activity without clear economic benefit>?"

I wonder how they manage to reproduce.

[randallsquared]

Are you suggesting that hosting the Olympics is a terminal goal, like having children is?

[netrus]

Being entertained is, as feeling a global spirit of humanity, as being proud to be a good host to the world. That are a lot of positive emotions I connect with the Olympic Games. It's quite expensive, but you only do it all 20-odd years (considering also Winter Olympics and Soccer Worldcup). Some modesty is in place, but it would be such a shame if we did not have these events anymore.

[3825]

I understand that as a community we need children but personally I don't see myself having kids.

>Some modesty is in place, but it would be such a shame if we did not have these events anymore.

This might be another reason to do such events (haven't read the article yet). To make people think the city is "happening", to retain people and dissuade them from leaving for seemingly more fertile pastures.

[acheron]

They've figured that out too. Behold, economist Bryan Caplan's book "Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids": http://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/0465...